My Ians...

I want to introduce you to my ranch Ian. He was born just a couple of days ago. I didn't get to see him born, but I got to see him take his first steps and try to get milk from his mom. I just thought he was really special. So I decided to name him after my other Ian.

This is my other Ian. He is my little buddy. He is an amazing kid. He started to sit by me in church when I moved back to Texas. I have enjoyed being with him, listening to his primary talks, see him grow, and have fun listening to his stories, andwatching him draw special pictures for me.

Many times he reminds me so much of my son. This guy and his brother and sisters prayed for me constantly during my head injury recovery.

So since I am really missing my little buddy. Don't you just love that face. It makes you just want to smile!! As you compare these pictures you will see why I named my ranch Ian after my Texas Ian!! Love you Texas Ian and I really miss you!!!

This Ian was sure having a tough time walking. His mom had gone off to eat hay and he decided to adventure out on his own.

The gate was open but Ian decided to take the skinny way around.

I know you can see why both my Ian's are just darn handsome!!

A great day...

Today was a great day. It started out with the sun shining and it promising to be a warm day. I got a wild hair and talked my Dad and Susan into going for a great lunch and drive. In reverse order Ill share my day...We stopped at where we used to have our hunting camp when I was a kid and teenager. I may share more pictures later. But this is my dad looking out in the woods for an old camp stove that they used to cook all of our meals on in the cook tent. The first time it got taken up it was decided it was to heavy to keep hauling up there so they used to hide it out in the trees and each year would dig it out and use it. Many years ago it disappear. But today we looked just in case. Didn't find it.

We saw about 25 head of deer. But this one was special. This mother had just had this baby. The fawn could hardly walk, but knew where to find the milk from mom.

This was a view today of the river, forest, and snow capped mountains.

My Dad and Susan for a scenic picture.

A field of wild sunflowers.

My Dad spraying thistle on a piece of ground he had just worked up with the tractor a few days ago.

Another scenic view with my dad and Rooster. Today was such a great day. But the 2nd best part about today was remembering how much fun my family used to have exploring, hunting, and camping in this area. The BEST part about today was the stories my Dad told about the sheep he used to herd in this area, the dudes he used to take out hunting, how people got some of the land through poker games, how the old timers used to trap and mine, and how different canyons and areas got their names. WHAT AN AWESOME DAY!!

Winters over...

These big guys are used all winter long to pull a sleigh loaded with hay. Sometimes my brother hooks up four of them at one time. But now that it is summer it is time for them to be taken to the hill pasture for a rest.

My Brother Dan has become used to these big guys not wanting to be caught.

But he always seems to whisper to these big guys. I think he must tell them where they are going and how green the grass is and that they will just love it. Because they always let him finally catch them. But little do they know...

That they have to be wormed before they get to go out on summer pasture. The tube has a paste in it that kills off any worms that have grown in their system through the winter. It tastes uky and they are always trying to spit it out. But my brother prevails and gets it in the right spot so they then have to swallow it.

The long and finally walk after the long trailer ride. My dad standing by the trailer supervising the finally walk. My brother leading the team called Blaze. Rooster our faithful dog always making sure everything is herded and going in the right direction.

All four waiting to go through the gate. Some of the saddles horses waiting for the new arrivals.

Another job completed

Why is it that the grass always seems greener on the other side. A whole 100 acres to graze on and he decides not even 5 minutes into the field that it must be greener on the neighbors side of the fence.

Its Spring flower time...

It is that time of year when the fields fill with these yellow flowers. They look so beautiful. Then they turn to a ball of white. As a kid I used to gather them up and blow all of the contents into the wind. I thought it was great fun. Now I am breaking out the chemicals to kill all of these beautiful flowers that are growing in my lawn. Age changes our perspective sometimes!!

When I was a child I would venture out into the field to pick these very special flowers. My Grandmother called them Rooster heads. I would pick a handful and bring them back to my Mom. They were her favorite spring time flower. I am not even sure if they are called Rooster heads for real, but that is what they have always been to me.

Rooster got really tired running behind the four wheelers today. He decided to lay down and take a break in a field of flowers and sage brush.

A close up of Rooster heads. They only bloom for a short time. You usually find them in meadows.

More Rooster heads and the beautiful yellow pest.

Not sure what these are called they are a beautiful purple flower that also grows wild this time of year.
On days like today I am just in awe of a loving Heavenly Father who gave us so much beauty to enjoy.

A day of work...fun...and water

Pulling out of a sink hole. Story below

Road covered with water from snow melt run off. But wait he will disappear soon!!!

This is usually a field where cattle graze. But not this spring and early summer. The creek is over the bush and what is showing in this photo is extra run off water.

The water in the rivers and creeks is overflowing this year. It was a heavy snow winter and it has been a late spring. Today we went up onto the summer pastures to put out salt for the cattle. The creek you see in this photo was overflowing. The first picture shows Garrett right in the middle of the stream. The four wheeler was covered with water. It was almost coming over top of the four wheeler. It was really a tough and deep place to be crossing because the current was so strong, but that is the only place to cross. My four wheeler and my dad's started to drift down the stream. I only got my straightened out because of the willow bush that you see stopping me. Then I was able to gun it and get through it without being washed down stream. We laughed and joked about it after we got through but it was pretty scary crossing. We were sure glad the four wheelers didn't did being buried so deep.

This photo shows Garret just starting into the creek. You can see the swiftness of the current because of the whiteness water splashing up.

This is another part of a road we traveled down today. The huge water splash that you see it actually Garrett coming through the water. The creek has diverted itself onto the road because it is so full.

The wave died down and you can see Garrett again. It is just amazing the amount of water that is flowing from the snow melting run off.

This is one of the creeks. Usually this creek can be jumped by a horse. But not this year. The creek is diverting itself because the regular channel cant handle the stream of water. We didn't even try to cross this one today.

All and all it was a great day!! A great adventure!! We all made it home safe and sound!!

What Rooster loves to do at the ranch...

Ride in his Uncle Dan's big semi. " My Uncle Dan let me sleep in his sleeper area"

Take an afternoon rest in Grandpa car port area.

When a guys thirst thank heavens there is a cow water trough saves time on me running to the house to get a drink from my bowl.

Went to the Snake River Ranch with Uncle Dan. Meet some country folk. But they didn't play fair. When a ball got thrown one would try and beat me to the ball and another would be biting me so I couldn't beat his friend. I just finally gave up and let them chase the ball. The biting hurt!

Janson you aren't getting that calf caught do you need me to step in and get him caught?

Ok Grandpa how many more miles of fence do we need to fix before we turn the cows out?

Please Uncle Dan let me ride in the tractor with you!!!

Ok I ready for my four wheeler ride. In my seat ready to go.

I know if they would let me get under this gate I could chase those calves and cows into where they need to be going. Why are they telling me to stay and lay here!!!

Is it really summer!!

Spring time at the ranch. I have been here for a month and a half. It has rained, snowed, and hailed. There has only been a couple of days in the 60s. Mainly it has been in the low 40. The old timers are saying they have never seem such crazy weather.

Some beautiful low clouds this morning. After our snow storm yesterday.

Rooster loves being outside in the sun, rain, or snow. But what he really loves is just being on the ranch working cows, riding in the tractor with his Uncle Dan, going for drives to the check the flooding, and riding on the back of my four wheeler.

This time of the year these mountains usually have just a little bit of snow left on them. But the snow was so deep this year and the sun can't seem to find it way through the clouds. So the deep snow just keeps hanging on.

This is my step nephew, he is part of the fencing crew. Look at this snow drift.

I am usually riding my four wheeler along this ridge and dropping down off into the trees, it may be a while before I can make this run!!

My friend in Midland probably think I have deserted them, but I am here at my ranch resting, spending time with my dad, and my brother, having my kids come sometimes for week ends. I just taking in the scenery and the view!!